Urban Pathways Students Learning Healthy Eating Habits With Nutribullet Program

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Fourth and fifth grade students at Urban Pathways K-5 College Charter School are learning healthy eating habits by using Nutribullets.

The school won a grant from NutriBullet University, a Los Angeles based organization that educates students on healthy eating.

“We’re hoping that we would see in 12 weeks some improvement in weight, exercise, in health, maybe fewer sickness issues,” Linda Williams, the school’s yoga and physical education teacher, said.

Students rate the smoothies by raising two hands to show they love it, one hand to show they like it, and a thumbs up, meaning they have to get use to the taste.

According to Williams, this rating method takes away words like ‘yuck,’ ‘nasty,’ and ‘ick,’ and allows the students to have a more open mind about trying new things.

Fifth grader Aaliyah Morris, who says she’s sometimes grumpy in the mornings, is noticing a difference with the smoothies.

“I learned that it makes you super energized in the morning so you wouldn’t be super tired, that you wouldn’t fall asleep during class,” she said.

Having that energy is exactly what principal Kimberly Fitzgerald says will be one of the things they’re keeping track of during the eating program, along with, “are they more focus, are they more engaged?”

Steelers Kelvin Beachum, who’s usually busy reading to the students, took time out to help pour the milk for the students smoothies.

“I want to stress the importance of healthy eating with Nutribullet University and make sure that you all are eating right,” Beachum said to the students.

And in eating right, Williams hopes the students will use the Nutribullets they receive at home to continue eating right.

“We want it to be natural for them, just like making peanut butter and jelly,” she said. “Instead of that though, they would come in, and put two apples, celery, pineapples and little bit of rice milk, and they don’t need any help from their parents. They know how to clean it; they know to take care of it.”

Principal Fitzgerald says they’re honored to be the only school in Pennsylvania to receive this challenge, but it’s more than that.

“Our end goal is that this is something that Urban Pathways continues through the school year and next,” she said.